The Empress Dowager returned to the Imperial Palace, and everyone within its walls came out to welcome her.
As Jiang Xian was injured, she had no choice but to be absent from this major occasion.
The Emperor first went to Changle Palace to play the part of a filial son for a while before slowly revealing his thoughts.
After the morning's fright and the exhaustion of travel, the Empress Dowager was a bit tired, but her mind was as clear as ever. She understood that the Emperor had already made his decision and merely wanted her to issue the edict on his behalf. With a smile, she said, "Gu Pin is loyal and filial. This time, she suffered in my place and truly deserves a reward. The rank of concubine... she is indeed worthy of it."
Since the Emperor was set on being willful, and the Empress Dowager also pitied Jiang Xian for her injuries, she had no objections.
